Who we are
We are three friends who met because we all have worked with zebrafish in biomedical research at some point in our lives. We’ve also been involved with the Zebrafish Husbandry Association, working to elevate the zebrafish as a model organism. Whenever we’d get together, we’d end up nerding out about all things fish. Then we decided we should probably start recording our discussions. That’s how our podcast was created!
Amber Chiodini
Meet Amber Chiodini (@amberchiodini), the zebrafish-obsessed IACUC Analyst at @NorthwesternU. She's been rocking the laboratory animal science and biomedical research scene since 2019, revolutionizing zebrafish care and delivering merciless movie critiques as the witty mastermind behind @SoWhatHappensN1. When she's not busy with building up a zebrafish army for world domination, Amber likes to hang out with her partner and adorable fur babies and embark on a quest for brewery excursions and cinematic experiences. With infectious enthusiasm, she's ready to conquer science, critiquing, and everything in between! Keep an eye on this danio dynamo as she brings laughter, wit, and innovation to the table.
Joshua Barber
Meet Josh Barber (@joshbarbershop). An avid fisherman, fishkeeper and sushi aficionado for the last 25 years, Josh Barber has turned his lifelong obsession into a career working with aquatic species in animal research. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in general biology from Wheaton College and a Master’s degree in biotechnology from Columbia University. He has spent the last 13 years in the aquatic research field during which he assisted many new and existing laboratories up to speed with the latest operating procedures in aquatic husbandry and facility management. He currently works as the Senior Manager of Aquatic Life at Columbia University. Hobbies include improv comedy, ruining conversation flow with terrible puns and leveling up his fishing skill in his favorite videogame, World of Warcraft.
Christine Archer
Christine (@nerdrvt on most platforms) has been interested in fish from a young age, having been a hobbyist aquarist since the age of 10. After becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician in 2009, she jumped at the chance to start working with aquatic animals in a laboratory context in 2012, after several years working with rodents in research. Christine helped to run the University of Ottawa’s aquatics facility, housing many fresh, brackish, and saltwater species. Christine is an advocate for improving the health monitoring and management of zebrafish in research, having found herself in a unique role merging animal health and aquatics husbandry. She has previously lectured to veterinary technology students and lab animal technicians alike and wants to help ensure that institutional animal care departments improve their knowledge base and expertise regarding their management and care of aquatic animals. Currently, Christine is the Zebrafish Facility Manager at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.